CMS published a final rule on February 2, 2016 to implement statutory requirements regarding documentation of face-to-face encounters with Medicaid beneficiaries within certain timeframes as a condition of Medicaid coverage of home health services and certain medical equipment.  The rule also makes several clarifications to Medicaid policies related to coverage of home health services, including medical supplies furnished under this benefit.
Continue Reading CMS Finalizes Medicaid Home Health and Medical Equipment Policy Changes, Including Face-to-Face Encounter Requirements

Today CMS released its proposed rule to update Medicare home health prospective payment system (HH PPS) rates for CY 2015. CMS estimates that the rule would reduce Medicare payments to home health agencies by approximately $58 million (-0.3%) in 2015 compared to 2014 levels. Specifically, while CMS anticipates a 2.2% home health payment update percentage

CMS has pushed back indefinitely enforcement of an Affordable Care Act (ACA) provision requiring a face-to-face encounter as a condition of Medicare payment for certain durable medical equipment (DME) items. By way of background, under CMS rules implementing section 6407 of the ACA, as a condition of payment for specified items of DME, a physician

CMS has just announced that it is delaying enforcement of an Affordable Care Act provision requiring a face-to-face encounter as a condition of Medicare payment for certain durable medical equipment (DME) items from July 1, 2013 to October 1, 2013. Under the regulations implementing the face-to-face requirement, a physician must have documented and communicated

As part of CMS’s Medicare physician fee schedule rule, CMS is implementing an ACA provision requiring a face-to-face encounter as a condition of Medicare payment for certain DME items. CMS has made a number of modifications to the final policy in response to comments on the proposed rule. Under the final rule, CMS is expanding